The Rseaux IP Europens Network Coordination Centre (RIPE NCC) and the Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA) in Oman currently brought forces together to host a three-day training workshop as part of their participation on capacity development.

Held currently in Omans capital city, the event was arranged to create the capacities of local stakeholders and help them in the development of the Internet in the country. Local Internet Registries (LIRs), the RIPE Database, and the basics of Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) were the three main training courses.

In the course of the LIR training on the first day, the attendees get to know about the administrative procedures and policies associated to control Internet number resources and operating an LIR. The course additionally encompasses a basic introduction to the RIPE Database.

On the second day, the aim and intention of the RIPE Database were explored where participants were taught about the functions, scope, and importance of the RIPE Database. They get to know how it works and how to update it. They also took part in numerous exercises and demonstrations that enabled them to practice their newly learned skills.

The last and final day saw the participants tackling the basics of IPv6. This training course elaborated on the imminent IPv4 run-out, the need to switch to IPv6, and how to get ready for the deployment of IPv6.Oman is the third country in the region to have began the enforcement of IPv6 following Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates.

Eng. Mohammed Al-Kindy, Vice president, TRA Oman, stated: Hosting the three-day workshop at our training centre was essential to expanding Internet connectivity in the country. Efforts toward this direction have been in full swing in Oman and we look to fast-track our initiatives similarly. Capacity building is important to our mission, making the training sessions even more imperative. We are pleased with the outcomes of the programmes and we look ahead to holding such initiatives in the future for constant skills development. We would like to express our gratitude to the RIPE NCC for its dedication, help and support.

Chafic Chaya, Regional Communications Manager at the RIPE NCC, mentioned: At RIPE NCC, it is our privilege to partner with TRAOman and jointly arrange such training activities. We would like to extend our appreciation to them for assisting make the sessions possible. The victory of these activities in Oman reflects that Omans Telecom and Internet sector is entirely dedicated to furthering their engagement in the nations transition to IPv6.

The RIPE NCC proceeds to improve training programmes and other initiatives to offer technical knowledge associated to the Internets infrastructure, and to increase awareness about predominant challenges in the virtual world inclusive of IPv6 deployment, security, peering, and Internet governance problems.